Gwydion, Trinta & Um, Primal Attack, Scent Of Death, Viralata, Gates Of Hell
Sociedade Filarmónica Estrela Moitense, Moita (PT)
29th March 2014
The dinner took longer than expected and when I got back to the venue, Gates Of Hell were already playing “Into My Destruction”. I was really pissed as I like them very much and wanted to see the full show. A show that also had to be cut one song short, so I was double pissed. Of course I’ve seen them about a dozen times before, but it’s the kind of band you never get tired of seeing live. Or moshing to, apparently, as the circle was restless. And speaking of mosh, both singer Raça and guitarist Filipe were wearing Mosher t-shirts, and later Primal Attack bassist Miranda would too – I guess their merch is really worth to take a look at.
By the time the gig was halfway played, Raça engaged in the thank-you list. Besides the mandatory gratitude for the crowd and the promoters Switchtense, he also included the staff – the people who were cooking the food and serving the beer. I think he was the only one who did that. And then he introduced “Constructive Misery”.
The title-track of their debut album, “Critical Obsession”, was last, Raça thanking again and saying they would be there the following year, not playing but enjoying the fest as Moita was more than a metal party – it stood for humility and friendship. (4,5 / 5)
www.facebook.com/gatesofhellband
There are punk bands that sing about anarchy and/or against the political state of the country/continent/world. And then there are punk bands that sing about trivial stuff… like how fucking beautiful their bikes are or how they miss the silicone boobs of some chick called Ivone (who was also supposed to be gorgeous, although singer Ulisses claimed that guitarist Covas was the most beautiful “girl”). Viralata (mongrel) haven’t been around for long, but their members are quite veterans. And just because their lyrics are funny, don’t think the music is less serious – they play straightforward high-quality punk rock.
Viralata have one album so far, “Vai Buscar!” (“go get it!”), but its follow-up “Doa A Quem Doer” (“no matter who gets hurt”, in the sense of “whatever it takes”) should see the light of day this year. So I think I’m not mistaken when I say I’ve heard Ulisses introducing a new song, although I can’t tell which one.
The Portuguese underground scene is still mourning the loss of João Ribas (R.I.P.), who was much more than a punk icon. In his memory, Viralata played a cover of “Censurados” (censored), a hymn from the band with the same name where Ribas used to sing. It was the cherry on the top of a delicious cake. (5 / 5)
www.youtube.com/user/viralatapunktv
Scent Of Death is an Iberian death metal band – Iberian as in Iberian Peninsula, meaning Portuguese and Spanish. Both singer Sérgio and drummer Rolando had played the night before with their other bands (Bleeding Display and Switchtense, respectively) but they didn’t seem tired at all – Sérgio warned of how brutal things were about to become and the band did keep that promise.
They have already two albums out, “Woven In The Book Of Hate” and “Of Martyr’s Agony And Hate”, and by their titles you can already imagine the level of aggression. “Feeling The Fear” was quite a highlight. (4 / 5)
www.facebook.com/scentofdeathmetal
Primal Attack was formed in 2012 and played in last year’s edition of the fest – one of the first bands in the afternoon. They were already talking about an album, which would be released that June (“Humans”). And now they got one of the prime-time slots of the festival’s bill, where they would even record footage for a DVD. Talk about a meteoric rise… But I guess it’s deserved – well, I’m sure it is, given the hell they brought upon and in front of the stage.
Hugo from Switchtense put some vocals on “Despise You All” and the crowd did the same with pretty much the whole setlist. (4,5 / 5)
https://www.facebook.com/primalattack
Trinta & Um means literally thirty-one, but in Portuguese that’s more than a number. I actually don’t know the origins of the expression, but when it’s said that “you got yourself in a thirty-one”, it means that you’re in big trouble. What better name for a punk-hardcore band?
One of the many stagedivers who climbed up there had his t-shirt tainted red. “I was going to tell him to be careful but it’s red wine after all, not blood” said singer Goblin. “I’ll say it anyway: be careful”. Trinta & Um have been around since 1995 so I’m pretty sure they’ve seen their fair share of blood on the mosh floor. At least Goblin and bass player Metralha, since drummer Rato and guitarist Deris are somewhat recent acquisitions.
“Advogado do Diabo” (Devil’s advocate) would be dedicated to everyone, especially (once again) Hugo from Swithtense for giving them the opportunity of playin there. And the last song, a song about their hometown Linda-A-Velha and suitable called “Linda-A-Velha Hardcore” went to the aforementioned late punk legend João Ribas, for everything he’s done and would still do for punk and music in general in Portugal. (5 / 5)
www.facebook.com/trintaeum.lvhc
There’s a reason why Gwydion is the most popular folk metal band from Portugal and every time I see them live I remember it. And not even when singer Rúben felt sick and had to leave the stage for a while – a “technical problem with my stomach”, he later explained – did the party stop.
Promoting their third full-length album, “Veteran” (released last November), they had lots of fans who I didn’t see up front during the rest of the fest – so I guess it’s not wrong to assume they were there just for Gwydion. Which is another proof that they don’t need Eurovision Song Contest to express their talent – the band won the online poll by 87%, meaning they were the people’s clear choice, but then RTP, the Portuguese channel which is promoting the Portuguese contest, didn’t let them participate (typical prejudiced minds). Other bands could have closed the night, but having Gwydion do it was just as rightful. (5 / 5)
www.facebook.com/GwydionPT
More pics here.
First part here.
Text & photos by Renata “Pieni” Lino
Valkyrian Music 